Continuous adsorption-desorption process



June 3o, 1953 J, A. WEEDMAN 2,643,972

CONTINUOUS ADSORPTION-DESORPTION PROCESS Filed April 2. 1951 INVENTOR. J. A. WEEDMAN vaporization from the adsorbent.

Patented June 30, 1953 than CONTINUOUS ADSORPTION-DESORP'IION PROCES S John A. Weedman, Bartlesville, Okla., assignor t Phillips Petroleum Company, a corporation of Delaware Application April 2, 1951, Serial No. 218,787

11 Claims.

This invention relates to a continuous method for separating organic mixtures into constituents by selective adsorption. In one of its specific aspects the invention has particular reference to the desorption or adsorbent regeneration step in a continuous adsorption process wherein an adsorbed constituent is desorbed from the adsorbent by a desorbent liquid and separation of the thus desorbed constituent and the desorbent is simultaneously effected by fractional distillation in the desorption zone. l

It has long been known to contact a liquid mixture of organic materials with solid adsorbents, usually silica gel or activated charcoal, although many other adsorbents such as activated alumina, bauxite, magnesia, etc. can be used, whereby the more readily adsorbed component or components are taken up by the solid and the less readily adsorbed component or components remain unadsorbed. In this mannera separation may be obtained between components of a two component mixture, or a complex mixture may be separated into two fractions of different characteristics according to adsorbability. By repeated treatment, three or more fractions of diiierent character may be separated. Several methods of recovering the adsorbed material from the solid are available, including the use of a different liquid for which the solid adsorbent has less affinity than the organic material which it has adsorbed, the use of a different liquid for which the solid adsorbent has more affinity than the organic material which it has adsorbed, and removal of the adsorbed material by Thus, a hydrocarbon mixture containing parafns and aromatics may be contacted in the liquid phase with silica gel under `conditions at which the parafns are unadsorbed and the aromatic material is adsorbed. The parainic material is physically separated as one product from the gel, and the latter is then treated by one of the methods mentioned to remove the aromatic material which is thus recovered as the other product.

Lately, this basic process which has long been used by batch procedures has been developed into a continuous process, in which the silica gel or other solid adsorbent, in the form of powder or small granules, is passed downwardly in rodlike iiow in the form of a compact bed or columnar mass in contact with the hydrocarbon or other liquid material which is being treated. The liquid feed is introduced at an intermediate or low point in the column of gel, and the unadsorbed so-called rafnate is withdrawn from the top. The adsorbed material or so-called extract is separated from the gel by a number of methods, either in the same column or in a separate column; however, when recovery of extract is effected in the same column, the adsorbent is then passed to a separate column where it is conditioned for re-use in the process.

In the past, when separation of the adsorbed fraction from the solid adsorbent is effected by a desorbent liquid of either a greater or less affinity for the solid adsorbent than the organic material, it has adsorbed, it has been necessary to separate the desorbent liquid and desorbed fraction or adsorbate in a separate step in a separate fractional distillation column. By the practice of my invention, substantially complete separation of the desorbent liquid and desorbed fraction is accomplished in the desorption column, thereby eliminating the necessity of the separate fractionation step and the equipment necessary to accomplish that separation.

An object of this invention is to provide a continuous adsorption process for the separation of organic compounds.

Another object of this invention is to provide a continuous process for the separation of petroleum stocks into a plurality of fractions of differing characteristics.

Another object of this invention is to provide a continuous adsorption-desorption process for the separation of organic compounds wherein the desorption is elfected by a liquid desorbent.

Another object of this invention is to provide a continuous adsorption-desorption process in which the desorption is accomplished` in a separate column by a desorbent liquid of less ainity for the solid adsorbent than the material it has adsorbed with a simultaneous separation of the desorbent and adsorbed fraction in the desorption column.

Another object of this invention is to provide a continuous adsorption-desorption process wherein a solid adsorbent acts as a separating agent in two ways, i. e., as a selective adsorbent in the adsorption column and as packing for fractional distillation in the desorption column.

A further object of this inventionis to provide a continuous adsorption-desorption process in which desorption is accomplished in a separate column by a desorbent liquid of less affinity for the solid adsorbent and of higher boiling point than the material the solid has adsorbed with simultaneous substantially complete separation of the desorbed material and the desorbent liquid in the desorption column.

Another object of this invention is to` provide a continuous adsorption-desorption process for the separation of organic materials, the adsorption and desorption being carried out in separate columns, by use of a solid adsorbent and a liquid desorbent of less affinity for the solid adsorbent and of higher boiling point than the material the solid has adsorbed, wherein the solid adsorbent, while moving through the desorption column, acts as packing in a fractional distillation Zone so as to elect a substantially complete separation of the desorbent liquid and the desorbed material in the desorption column.

Still another object of my invention is t provide a continuous adsorption-desorption process for the separation of organic materials wherein separation of a desorbed material and a desorbent liquid is accomplished in the adsorbent regeneration or desorption step, thereby eliminating the necessity of a separate fractional distillation column for the recovery ci the desorbed material.

Further objects will be apparent to one skilled in the art from the accompanying disclosure and discussion.

In a preferred embodiment of my invention, particles of a solid adsorbent material aggregated into a columnar mass or bed are passed downwardly continuously as a moving bed in a vertical elongated adsorption zone, removed from the bottom thereof, passed to the top of a desorption zone and moved downwardly therethrough continuously as a moving mass or bed, removed from the bottom of the desorption zone and returned to the top of the adsorption zone to provide continuous operation. Into an intermediate point of the downwardly moving mass or bed in the adsorption zone is introduced a liquid (by liquid I mean liquid at the conditions of treatment although the material may be normally solid or normally gaseous, as well as normally liquid) organic material composed of at least two components of differing adsorbability. The more readily adsorbed component is adsorbed and carried downwardly by the solid adsorbent while the .less readily adsorbed component passes upwardly the desorbent liquid and a decreasing temperature gradient from the surface of the desorbent liquid to the top of the desorption Zone such that A column of a liquid deytain an increasing temperature gradient from the bottom of the desorption Zone to the surface of the temperature in the bottom of the desorption zone is below the boiling point of the desorbent liquid and preferably at the temperature of the adsorption zone, the temperature at the surface of the desorbent is at or above the boiling point,

of the desorbent, and the temperature at the top of the desorption zone is lower than the boiling point of both the adsorbed component and the desorbent. It is desirable to maintain the temperature in upper portion of the desorption zone lower than the boiling point of both the adsorbed component and the desorbent so as to provide reiiux of the desorbed adsorbed component in that portion of the desorption zone to provide conditions favorable for substantially complete separation of the desorbed component and the desorbent. When operating in this manner, rising vapors of the desorbed component contact the cool adsorbent and condense thereon thus vaporizing more of the adsorbed component. The condensed desorbed component then ilows back down the desorption Zone to pro-vide reflux in the Zone and the vaporized adsorbed component rises and contacts more cool adsorbent where the procedure is repeated. Thus substantially complete separation of adsorbed component and desorbent is accomplished. Of course the incoming adsorbent should not be so cold as to cause flooding of the upper part of the desorption zone. This temperature which will cause flooding will vary in each case and it is within the skill of the art to determine the temperature below which flooding will occur. Thus the temperature in the upper part of the desorption zone should be at or below the boiling point of the adsorbed component and above the flooding temperature at the conditions of operation. The desorbent vapors from the boiling desorbent rise in the desorption zone and contact the downwardly moving mass of solid adsorbent and thereby desorb the adsorbed component. The downwardly moving adsorbent, being below the boiling point of the desorbent, condenses the desorbent vapors and the condensed desorbent returns to the surface of the liquid desorbent column, thereby providing total reflux conditions in the desorption zone. The downwardly moving particles of solid adsorbent act as packing for fractional distillation which is thus going on in that portion of the desorption zone above the surface of the desorbent liquid, the distance from the top of the desorption zone to the surface of the liquid desorbent being chosen so as to allow substantially complete separation of desorbent and desorbed component by fractional distillation in that portion of the desorption zone. Vaporous desorbed component is withdrawn from the top of the desorption zone, the vapors being condensed and a portion of the condensed desorbed component being returned to the adsorbed component and solid adsorbent at a point intermediate the adsorption and desorption zones as reflux. Adsorbed and occluded desorbent contained in the solid adsorbent which is withdrawn from the bottom of the desorption Zone and passed to the top of the adsorption zone is desorbed by the non-adsorbed component of the feed in the top of the adsorption zone and the thus desorbed desorbent together with the nonadsorbed component of the feed is Withdrawn from the top of the adsorption Zone and passed to a fractional distillation column. The non-adsorbed component of the feed is withdrawn from one end of the fractional distillation column and desorbent is withdrawn from the other end thereof, the desorbent being returned to the bottom of the desorption zone so as to maintain the level of the liquid desorbent in that column. In some cases it may be desirable to maintain all or substantially all of the column of desorbent at its vboiling point and to cool the adsorbent after it vi's specically described with' reference .tof the removal and recovery of aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene and toluene.from.a mixture of same in refinery or otherhydrocarbon streams. The system is also particularly usefulfor the treatment of a cracked gas oil for'the production of a high aniline pointand a .low aniline .point product, as well asthe'various .other types of separations described herein. Numerous auxiliary items of equipment such. as valves, pumps, controls, and the like,.are.not,sho.wn in order to avoid confusion of the drawing, thesupplying of such items being well within'ithe skill of the art. It will be appreciated that various modifications can be made departing from theexact details of the system as shown in the drawing without de- 'parting from the invention.

In the drawing, averticalelongated shell or column II is provided for carrying out the adsorption step of my process and a similar shell or column I4 is provided for carrying out the desorption step. A suitable adsorbent, for example silica gel, is introduced into the topi of column II in the form of line particles, e. g.,

.particles of Sito 10 mesh size, and an aggregated .columnar mass or bed of the silica gel particles is maintained within column II. This bed is allowed to move downwardly in rod-like yflow by gravity. Gel is removed from the bottom o-f column II by suitable means as via elevator I3,.

Yelevator ZI, thus continuing thevcycliclmovement of the gel throughl the system. Elevator 2l is .similar to elevator I3 and may also4 be replaced by other means for lifting particles, forvexample liquidor gas-lift means. I

The liquidA to be separated into fractions, for example, a mixture of paraiinic and aromatic hydrocarbons comprising n-hexane and benzene, is introduced into column II viaV line I rat an intermediate point in column II. Gel flows downwardly in columnl II and liquid flows up- Wardly. In passing upward through the vde,- scending mass of silica gel, all or the major portionof thebenzene or other aromatic content of the feed is adsorbed, the .percentage adsorbed ,depending on various factors including the ratio of gel ow rate to aromatic yflowLrate,tempera ture of treatment, character of the various feed constituents, height of column, composition'of the feed, and other factors as will be appreciated by one skilled in the art by virtue of the present disclosure. The parain-rich or vnon-adsorbed product is removedfrom the` top` of the column via line I2. Y A l A column of a liquid desorbent, for. example kerosene, of less amnity for the adsorbent than theadsorbed component of thefeedand'prefer- Aably higher boiling than the adsorbed component,

iswmaintained. in desorption.` column I4, the, surface of the liquid desorbentbeing represented by;

number 25. An increasing temperaturegradient maintained from the vbottom lof coiumnia to fthe surface ofl Y the liquid desorbent; contained therein, the temperature in theV bottom of column I4 being maintained at a valueless thantneboil- -.,725

ing point of the liquid desorbent and preferably yatthe temperature being maintained in the adsorption column by means of adsorbent cooler I6, and the temperature at the `surface 25 of the liquid desorbent being maintained at least as high `as A,the boiling point of the desorbent by means of desorbent reboiler I5. Reboiler I5 and cooler I6 `are of conventional design and are preferably positioned inside column I4 and allow free pas,- sage of the downwardly moving mass of gel in the column. A decreasing temperature gradient .is maintained in the upper portion of column I4 from the surface 25 of the liquid desorbent to the top -of the column, the temperature at the `surface of the desorbent being at the boiling point ofthe desorbent as hereinbefore described, and the temperature at ithe top of column I4 being Vless than the boiling point of the desorbent and tion column and the desorption column are-operated at different temperatures, with the desorption column being preferably operated at a higher temperature than the adsorption column. I also prefer to maintain the temperature in the topi and bottom of the desorption column in the range of temperature being maintained in the adsorption column, and to maintain the temperature at the surface of the desorbent at the boiling point of the desorbent at the pressure obtaining therein. The vapors from the vsurface of Ithe boiling desorbent rise in column I4 and contact the downwardly moving adsorbent thereby desorbing and vaporizing the adsorbed component. The adsorbent, being cooler than the vaporous desorbent and at a temperature below the boiling point of the desorbent, condenses the desorbent vapors thus liberating heat and the condensed desorbent l,returns to the surface 25 of the column of liquid desorbent to be revaporized. The downwardly moving particles of adsorbent, being aggregated into a`columnar mass as hereinbefore explained,

.also` act als packing in a fractional distillation zone in that portion of column I4 above surface Withdrawn from the top of column I4 via line I'I as a vapor, and the desorbent returning to the surface 25 of the column of liquid desorbent as hereinbefore described. The vaporous desorbed aromatic component is condensed in condenser I8 and withdrawn therefromy as product via line I9, aportion of the product being returned as reiiux to elevator I3 via line 20. Some can also be returned as reiiux to the top of desorption column I4 if desired to` aid the fractional distillation occurring therein.

.The adsorbent which is withdrawn from the bottom of column I4 and passed to the top of column I I via elevator 2| as previously described is wetted with desorbent. The adsorbent contacts the non-adsorbed component of the feed in the topi of column II and the adsorbed desorbent is thereby desorbed and is withdrawn from column I I via line I2 along with the non-adsorbed parafthe feed is effected in fractionating-colrunn 22,-the non-adsorbed component being withdrawnfrom one end thereof Vvia line 23, and the desorbent being withdrawn from the other :end 'thereof and recycled to column I4 via line 24. Make-up descr-bent, when such is needed, is introduced Y'into desorption column i5 via line 26.

The process described provides a continuous vadsorption-desorption .process wherein desorption, and separation ofthe `desorbed component and the desorbent, are simultaneously effected in the downwardly moving body of adsorbent .particles in a desorption column, thereby :eliminating the necessity of a separate separation step for recovery of the adsorbed product. In addition to permitting the use of a single vcolumn for the desorption and adsorbent regeneration operations in a continuous adsorption process, my invention accomplishes the following: (l) aromatics are stripped from the .gel in the desorption column and the gel iis .thus reactivated in a form suitable for immediate :reuse without further treatment, and (2) the :solid adsorbent acts as a separating agent -in two ways, i. e., as a selective adsorbent in the adsorption column, and as packing in a fractional 4distillation zone in the desorption column. The height of the separating and desorption zone in column lli above the liquid desorbent level necessary to eect substantially complete separation of desorbent and desorbed component can be readily calculated in each individual case by known means. For example, the number of theoretical plates necessary to eect a separation of the desorbent and the desorbed component can be calculated by known means, and in the case of benzene and kerosene would. be approximately 2O trays. Packing heights of from l to 6 inches have been found to be equivalent to one theoretical tray in the case of silica gel and similar packings. Thus the height of the desorption and separation zone in the desorption column necessary to obtain substantially complete separation will range from x 1:20 inches to 20 6=120 inches, depending upon the diameter of the column. The desorption-separation space can be adjusted to the desired value by Avarying the height of the column of liquiddesorbent by adding or withdrawing desorbent through line 26. It should be noted that the particle size of the adsorbent should be chosen such that a maximum efficiency is obtained in the -adsorption column without causing flooding Vin the fractionation section of the desorption column. A particle size range of from 3 to 10 mesh has'been found to give best results when carrying out van adsorption process according to my invention.

In View of the fact that the basic physical principles underlying adsorption are now Well known to the art, a detailed consideration of same will not be given here. Those *skilled in the art will readily understand that the exact conditions to be employed, including temperature and relative flow rates of adsorbent, feed, and desorbent, etc., will be greatly dependent on the Vparticular feed stream which it is desired to separatdthe degree of separation'chosen. and the characteristics of the particular adsorbent used. Similarly, the residence time and vtemperature and hence the height of the desorption zone required for satisfactory desorption are dependent on the adsorbent, the character of the adsorbed material, and like factors. 'In this connection it should be noted that the mini- Vmum height of the desorption-separation `zone in the desorption column znecessary to accomplish Vboth the desired `desorption and :separation `operationsimay be determined by lthe space requirement necessary for either :the Vdesorption operation or the #separation zoperation, `whichever isgreatensince the operation requiring ithe least space is not adversely Yaffected bythe extra space required to accomplish the other -operation.

rIhe process described fmay be applied to fa wide variety tof vfeed stocks. In Yaddition ito the types .mentioned specifically hereinabove, wide boiling range .gasolinas :may be -treated to effect :separation 'of hydrocarbonsmerelyfby'typerather than by individual .chemical components, virgin Aor cracked gas .oils may :be treated to separate same into a highly aromatic Iextract ysuitabletfor 'feed lin making furnace type carbon zblackrsuch 'as Philblack 'and 'a highly paraffinic rafnate suitable vfor catalytic lcracking or use as a diesel fuel, kerosene or :other naphtha fractions :may lbe treated 'to remove aromatics -and sulfur compounds therefrom. Narrow boiling aromaticparaftinic or olenic-paraffinic cuts may be fractionated by adsorption to produce pure aromatic, paranic and olenic compounds. It will `be noted that this adsorption fractionation process is adaptec'i to any desired degree of separation. Thus 'it may be used to produce one 'or more relatively vpure `'compounds or it may be used merely 'to concentrate further a desired compound in its originalmixt'ure. It willbe appreciated that the mixture of non-adsorbed component and desorbent Withdrawn from the top of the adsorption column may'be'used as a mixture. lmaking separation of these compounds unnecessary. VInfsuch a casemake-up desorbent is added in order -to maintain Ythe level of the desorbent in the desorption column. Likewise the desorbed product which is withdrawn from the top of the -desorption column may be used in other-operations in its vapor state, making condensation of 'the product unnecessary. Thus it is 4apparent that changes vin the exact details of the process I have described as illustrating my invention can be made without departing from the spirit fand Yscope of the invention.

'Numerous non-hydrocarbons and particularly non-hydrocarbon organic liquid mixtures can be subjected to the adsorption vprocess of my invention to separate same into -group or individual constituents. The separation of normally solid or Vnormally Ygaseous organic compounds is within the scope of this invention since they maybe changed to liquids -by appropriate coordination of two normal process variables, namely, temperature and pressure. For example, this process *is -readily adaptable to the separa- `tion of a Vnormally gaseous butene-butadiene liqquid mixture by slightly increasing operating pressures. Similarly it is within the scope of 'this Aprocess to purify a Ynorrnally solid naphthalene vstock by conducting lthe adsorption -processat a moderately elevated temperature. With respect 'to hydrocarbon types in general, polynuclear aromatics are most readily adsorbed, mononuclear V"ar-: 1natics next, and continuing in accordance with decreasing "adsorbability are the cyclic olefins, open-chain olefins, 'naphth'enea and parafiins. Ketones are more readily -adsorbed than hydrocarbons, alcohols more than -ketones, and water more than alcohols. The relative adsorbabilities of l lother liquids are already known tothe art, 4or'may readily be determined by trial. v

It has been pointed out hereinabove that I prefer to utilize a desorbent liquid of less affinity for the solid adsorbent than the material it has adsorbed and of a higher boiling point than the adsorbed material. It is also desirable` to select a desorbent having a boiling point suiiiciently different from the boiling point of thev non-adsorbed component of the feed such that separation of those materialsy may be readily accomplished by fractionation when it is desired to recycle desorbent rather than utilizing the mixture of desorbent and non-adsorbed component as such. Other factors to be considered in selecting a desorbent include convenience and economics, taking into consideration effectiveness for desorbing a particular extract, cost, effect on adsorbent, and ease of removal from the adsorbent.r

Example 1500 pounds per hour of about 8 mesh silica gel is moved as a compact mass downwardly through an adsorption column, elevated to the top of a desorption column and moved as a compact mass downwardly therethrough, and elevated to the top of the adsorption column, thus providing continuous circulation of the adsorbent through the system. The adsorption and desorption columns are of the same size, each having a length of 20 feet and an inside diameter of two feet. 1000 gallons per hour of a liquid feed comprising 95 per cent n-hexane and 5 per cent benzene is introduced into the adsorption column at a point 10 feet from the top. `Atmospheric pressure is maintained in both the adsorption column and the desorption column. The temperature in the adsorption column is maintained in the range of 70 to 80 F. A 10 foot column of a liquid highly parafiinic kerosene having a boiling point of from 275 to 300 F. is maintained in the desorption column, thereby providing a 10 foot separation and desorption zone in the upper portion of the desorption column. A temperature as near as possible to 70 to 80 F. is maintained in the bottom of the desorption column, a temperature of from 275 to 300 F. is maintained at the surface of the desorbent, and a temperature of from 70 to 80 F. is maintained in the top of the desorption zone. 150 gallons per hour of benzene in vapor form is withdrawn from the top of the desorption column and the vapors condensed. 100 gallons per hour of the condensed benzene is.recycled to the elevator connecting the top of the desorption column with the bottom of the adsorption column to provide a reux in the adsorption system, 50 gallons per hour of the condensed benzene is withdrawn as product. 1100 gallons per hour of a mixture of n-hexane and kerosene is withdrawn from the top of the adsorption column and the mixture separated in a fractionating column. 950 gallons per hour of n-hexane is withdrawn from the top of the fractionator and 150 gallons per hour of kerosene is recycled to the bottom of the desorption column.`

I claim:

l. A process for continuously separating a mixture of organic compounds capable of being selectively adsorbed by contact in the liquid phase at an lintermediate point into said adsorption zone into contact with the moving particles of adsorbent, continually withdrawing a liquid nonadsorbed component of said mixture from the upper end of said adsorption zone, continually withdrawing said particles of solid adsorbent together with an adsorbed component of said mixture of organic compounds from the bottom of said adsorption zone and passingsame to the upperendof a desorption zone, continually moving said particles of solid adsorbent aggregated into ai columnar mass downwardly by gravity flow through said desorption zone, maintaining a column of a liquid desorbent in the lower portion of said desorption zone, said liquid desorbent being less strongly adsorbed by said solid ad-v sorbent than said adsorbed component and having a boiling point greater than said adsorbed component, maintainingr a decreasing temperature gradient from the surface of said liquid desorbent to the top of said desorption zone, the temperature in the top of said desorption zone being 'lower than the boiling point of said desorbent and said adsorbed component, the vtemperature at the surface of said liquid desorbent being at least vas great as the boiling point of the desorbent so as to cause desorbent vapors to rise in said desorption zone and contact said downwardly moving particles of vsolid adsorbent thereby descr-hing and vaporizing said adsorbed component and condensing said desorbent vapors, separating said desorbed component and said desorbent in that portion of said desorption zone above said column of liquid desorbent by utilizing the particles of solid adsorbent contained therein as packing in a fractional distillation zone, returning said condensed desorbent to the surface of said liquid desorbent, continually withdrawing separated vaporous desorbed component from the top of said desorption zone, continually withdrawing particles of solid adsorbent together with adsorbedpdesorbent from the bottom ofv said desorption zone and passing same to the top of said adsorption zone into contact with 'said liquid non-adsorbed component so as to desorb said desorbent, continually withdrawing said'desorbent from the top of said adsorption zone along with said non-adsorbed coml ponent.

2. A process for continuously separating a mixture of organic compounds capable of being selectively adsorbed by contact in the liquid phase i with a solid adsorbent, which comprises, continuously moving particles of a solid adsorbent' aggregated into a columnar mass downwardly by gravity flow through an adsorption zone, said particles of solid adsorbent being in a size range of from 3 to 10 mesh, continually feeding said mixture of organic compounds in the liquid phase at an intermediate point into said adsorption zone into contact with the moving particles of adsorbent, continually withdrawing a liquid nonadsorbed component of said mixture from the upper end of said adsorption zone and passing same to a fractionating column, continually withdrawing said particles of solid adsorbent together with an adsorbed component of said mixture of organic compounds from the bottom of said adsorption zone and passing same to the upper end of a desorption zone, continually moving said particles of solid adsorbent aggregated into a columnar mass downwardly by gravity flow through said desorption zone, maintaining a column of a liquid desorbent in the lower portion of said desorption zone, said liquid desorbent being less strongly adsorbed by said solid adsorbent than said adsorbed component and having a boiling point greater than said adsorbed component, maintaining an increasing temperature gradient from the bottom of said desorption zoneto the surface of said column of liquid desorbent anda decreasing temperature gradient from the surface of said liquid desorbent to the top of said desorption zone, the temperature in the bottom of said desorption Zone being below the boiling point of said liquid desorbent, the temperature in the top of said desorption zone being' lower than the boiling point of said desorbent and` said adsorbed component, the temperature at the surface of said liquid desorbent being at least as great as the boiling point of the desorbent so as to cause desorbent vapors to rise in said desorption zone and contact said downwardly moving particles of solid adsorbent thereby descrbing and vaporizing said adsorbed component and condensing said desorbent vapors, separating said desorbed component and said desorbent in that portion of said desorption zone `above said column of liquid desorbent by utilizing the particles of solid adsorbent contained therein as packing in a fractional distillation zone, returning said condensed desorbent to the surface of said liquid desorbent, continually withdrawing separated vaporous desorbed component from the top of said desorption Zone, continually withdrawing particles of solid adsorbent together with adsorbed desorbent from the bottom of said desorption Zone and passing same to the top of said adsorption Zone into contact with said liquid non-adsorbed component so as to desorb said desorbent, continually withdrawing said desorbent from the top of said adsorption zone along with said non-adsorbed component and passing same to said fractionating column, separating said non-adsorbed component and said selectively adsorbed by contact 'in the liquid phase with a solid adsorbent, which comprises, continuously moving particles of a solid adsorbent aggregated into a columnar mass downwardly by gravity flow through an adsorption zone, said particles of solid adsorbent being in a size range of from 3 to 10 mesh, continually feeding said mixture ol organic compounds in the liquid phase at an intermediate point into said adsorption zoneV into contact with the moving particles of adsorbent, continually withdrawing a liquid non-adsorbed component of said mixture from the upper end of said adsorption zone, continually withdrawing said particles of solid adsorbent together with an adsorbed component of said mixture of organic compounds from the bottom of said adsorption zone and passing same to the upper end of a desorption zone, continually moving said particles of solid adsorbent aggregated into a columnar mass downwardly by gravity flow through said desorption zone, maintaining a column of a liquid desorbent inthe lower portion of said desorption zone, said liquid desorbent being less strongly adsorbed by said solid adsorbent than said adsorbed component and having a boiling point greater than said adsorbed component, maintaining anA increasing temperature gradient from the bottom of said desorption zone to the Vsurface of said column of liquid desorbent and a decreasing temperature gradient from the surface of said liquid desorbent to the top o1" said desorption Zone, the temperature in the bottom of said desorption zone being below the boiling point of said liquid dre-sorbent, the temperature in the top of said desorption Zone being lower than the boiling point or said desorbent and said adsorbed component, the temperature at the surface of said liquid desorbcnt being at least as great as the boiling point of the desorbent so as to cause desorbent vapors to rise in said desorption zone and contact said downwardly moving particles of solid adsorbent thereby desorbing and vaporizing said adsorbed component and condensing said desorbent vapors, separating said desorbed component and said desorbent in that portion'of said desorption zone above said column of liquid desorbent by utilizing the particles of solid adsorbent contained therein as packing in a fractional distillation zone, returning said condensed desorbent to the surface or said liquid desorbent, continually withdrawing separated vaporous' desorbed component from the top of said desorption zone and condensing saine, recycling a portion of the condensed desorbed component to said solid adsorbent and adsorbed component at a point intermediate said adsorption zcne and said desorption zone, continually withdrawing particles of .solid adsorbent together with adsorbed desorbent from the bottom or said desorption zone and passing same to the top of said adsorption zone into contact with said liquid non-adsorbed component so as to desorb said desorbent, continually withdrawing said desorbent from the top of said adsorption zone along with said non-adsorbed component.Y

e. A process for continuously separating a mixture of organic compounds capable of being selectively adsorbed by Contact in the liquid phase with a solid adsorbent, which comprises, continuously moving particles of a solid adsorbent aggregated into a columnar i lass downwardly by gravity flow through an adsorption zone, said particles of solid adsorbent being in a size range of from 3 to 1U mesh, continually feeding said mixture of organic compounds in the liquid phase at an intermediate point into said adsorption zone into contact with the moving particles of adsorbent, continually withdrawing a liquid non-adsorbed component of said mixture from the upper end of said adsorption zone and passing same to a fractionating column, continually withdrawing said particles of solid adsorbent together with an adsorbed component of said mixture of organic compounds from the bottom of said-adsorption zone and passing same to the upper end of a desorption zone, continually moving said particles of solid adsorbent aggregated into a columnar mass downwardly by gravity ow through said desorption zone, maintaining a column of a liquid desorbent in the lower portion of said desorption zone, said liquid desorbent being less strongly adsorbed by said solid adsorbent than said adsorbed component and having a boiling point greater than said adsorbed component, maintaining an increasing temperature gradient from the bottom of said desorption zone to the surface of said column of liquid desorbent and a decreasing temperature gradient from the surface of said liquid desorbent to the top of said desorption zone, the temperaturel in the bottom of said desorption zone I3 being below the boiling point of said liquid desorbent, the temperature in the upperV part of said desorption zone being lower than the boiling point of said desorbent and said adsorbed component, the temperature at the surface of said liquid desorbent being at least as great as the boiling point of the desorbent so as to cause desorbent vapors to rise in said desorption column and contact said downwardly moving particles of solid adsorbent thereby desorbing and vaporizing said adsorbedv component and-condensing said desorbent vapors, separating said desorbed component and said desorbent in that portion of said desorption zone above said column of liquid desorbent by utilizing the particles of solid adsorbent contained therein as packing in a fractional distillation zone, returning said condensed desorbent to the surfaceof said liquid desorbent, continually withdrawing separated vaporous desorbed component from the top of said desorption zone and condensing same, recycling a portion of the condensed desorbed component to said solid adsorbent and adsorbed component ata point intermediate said adsorption zone and said desorption zone, continually withdrawing particles of solid adsorbent together with adsorbed desorbent from the .bottom of said desorption zone and passing same to the top of said adsorption zone into contact with said liquid non-adsorbed component so as yto desorb said desorbent, continually withdrawing said desorbent from the topA of said adsorption zone along with said non-adsorbed coinponent and passing same to said fractionating column, separating said non-adsorbed component and said desorbed desorbent in said iractionating column, withdrawing non-adsorbed component from one end of said fractionating column, and withdrawing desorbent from .the other end thereof and recycling same Vto the bottom of said desorption zone.

5. A process according to claim 4 wherein said organic, compounds comprise benzene and nhexane, and said adsorbent is silica gel.

6. A process according to claim 5 wherein said liquid desorbent is a kerosene having a boiling point in the range of 275 to 300 F.

7. A process according to claim 6 wherein the.

temperature at the bottom of said desorption zone is in the range of to 80 F., the temperature at the surface of said kerosene is in the range of 275i to 300 F., and the temperature in the top of said desorption zone is in the range` of 70 to 80 F.

8. A process according to claim 4 wherein said adsorbent is silica gel. s

9. A process according to claim 4 wherein said adsorbent is activated charcoal.

10. A process according vto claim 4 wherein said organic compounds comprise aromatic and non-aromatic hydrocarbons.

l1. A process according to claim 4 wherein said organic compounds comprise a gas oil containing aromatic and non-aromatic constituents, and said desorbent is an essentially aromaticfree kerosene.

JOHN A. WEEDMAN 

1. A PROCESS FOR CONTINUOUSLY SEPARATING A MIXTURE OF ORGANIC COMPOUNDS CAPABLE OF BEING SELECTIVELY ADSORBED BY CONTACT IN THE LIQUID PHASE WITH A SOLID ADSORBENT, WHICH COMPRISES, CONTINUOUSLY MOVING PARTICLES OF A SOLID ADSORBENT AGGREGATED INTO A COLUMNAR MASS DOWNWARDLY BY GRAVITY FLOW THROUGH AN ADSORPTION ZONE, SAID PARTICLES OF SOLID ADSORBENT BEING IN A SIZE RANGE OF FROM 3 TO 10 MESH, CONTINUALLY FEEDING SAID MIXTURE OF ORGANIC COMPOUNDS IN THE LIQUID PHASE AT AN INTERMEDIATE POINT INTO SAID ADSORPTION ZONE INTO CONTACT WITH THE MOVING PARTICLES OF ADSORBENT CONTINUALLY WITHDRAWING A LIQUID NONADSORBED COMPONENT OF SAID MIXTURE FROM THE UPPER END OF SAID ADSORPTION ZONE, CONTINUALLY WITHDRAWING SAID PARTICELS OF SOLID ADSORBENT TOGETHER WITH AN ADSORBED COMPONENT OF SAID MIXTURE OF ORGANIC COMPOUNDS FROM THE BOTTOM OF SAID ADSORPTION ZONE AND PASSING SAME TO THE UPPER END OF A DESORPTION ZONE, CONTINUALLY MOVING SAID PARTICLES OF SOLID ADSORBENT AGGREGATED INTO COLUMNAR MASS DOWNWARDLY BY GRAVITY FLOW THROUGH SAID DESORPTION ZONE, MAINTAINING A COLUMN OF A LIQUID DESORBENT IN THE LOWER PORTION OF SAID DESORPTION ZONE, SAID LIQUID DESORBENT BEING LESS STRONGLY ADSORDED BY SAID SOLID ADSORBENT THAN SAID ADSORBED COMPONENT AND HAVING A BOILING POINT GREATER THAN SAID ADSORBED COMPONENT, MAINTAINING A DECREASING TEMPERATURE GRADIENT FROM THE SURFACE OF SAID LIQUID DESORBENT TO THE TOP OF SAID DESORPTION ZONE, THE TEMPERATURE IN THE TOP OF SAID DESORPTION ZONE BEING LOWER THAN THE BOILING POINT OF SAID DESORBENT AND SAID ADSORBED COMPONENT, THE TEMPERATURE AT THE SURFACE OF SAID LIQUID DESORBENT BEING AT LEAST AS GREAT AS THE BOILING POINT OF THE DESORBENT SO AS TO CAUSE DESORBENT VAPORS TO RISE IN SAID DESORPTION ZONE AND CONTACT SAID DOWNWARDLY MOVING PARTICLES OF SOLID ADSORBENT THEREBY DESORBING AND VAPORIZING SAID ADSORBED COMPONENT AND CONDENSING SAID DESORBENT VAPORS, SEPARATING SAID DESORBED COMPONENT AND SAID DESORBENT IN THAT PORTION OF SAID DESORPTION ZONE ABOVE SAID COLUMN OF LIQUID DESORBENT BY UTILIZING THE PARTICLES OF SOLID ADSORBENT CONTAINED THEREIN AS PACKING IN A FRACTIONAL DISTILLATION ZONE, RETURNING SAID CONDENSED DESORBENT TO THE SURFACE OF SAID LIQUID DESORBENT, CONTINUALLY WITHDRAWING SEPARATED VAPOROUS DESORBED COMPONENT FROM THE TOP OF SAID DESORPTION ZONE, CONTINUALLY WITHDRAWING PARTICLES OF SAID DESORPTION ZONE, SORBENT TOGETHER WITH ADSORBED DESORBENT FROM THE BOTTOM OF SAID DESORPTION ZONE AND PASSING SAME TO THE TOP OF SAID ADSORPTION ZONE INTO CONTACT WITH SAID LIQUID NON-ADSORBED COMPONENT SO AS TO DESORB SAID DESORBENT, CONTINUALLY WITHDRAWING SAID DESROBENTD FROM THE TOP OF SAID ADSORPTION ZONE ALONG WITH SAID NON-ADSORBED COMPONENT. 